The South Vietnamese stronghold of Saigon (now known as Ho Chi Minh City) fell to the Vietnamese People’s Army and the Viet Cong on April 30, 1975. South Vietnamese forces had collapsed under the rapid growth of North Vietnamese. The most recent fighting began in December 1974, when the North Vietnamese launched a major attack on the lightly defended province of Phuoc Long, located north of Saigon along the Cambodian border, invading the provincial capital at Phuoc Binh on January 6, 1975.. Despite previous presidential promises to provide aid in such a scenario, the United States has done nothing. By that time, Nixon had resigned from office and his successor, Gerald Ford, was unable to convince a hostile Congress to keep its earlier promises to save Saigon from Communist takeover.
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This situation emboldened the North Vietnamese, who launched a new campaign in March 1975. The South Vietnamese forces withdrew in total disarray and, once again, the United States did nothing. The South Vietnamese abandoned Pleiku and Kontum in the Highlands with very little fighting. Then Quang Tri, Hue and Da Nang fell under the Communist assault. The North Vietnamese continued to attack south along the coast toward Saigon, defeating South Vietnamese forces at each encounter.
The 18th South Vietnamese Division waged a valiant battle at Xuan Loc, just east of Saigon, destroying three North Vietnamese divisions. However, this was the last battle for the defense of the Republic of South Vietnam. South Vietnamese forces stood up to the attackers until they lacked tactical air support and weapons, eventually abandoning Xuan Loc to the Communists on April 21.
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After having crushed the last great opposition organized before Saigon, the North Vietnamese placed themselves in position for the final assault. In Saigon, South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu resigned and transferred authority to Vice President Tran Van Huong before fleeing the city on April 25. On April 27, the North Vietnamese had completely surrounded Saigon and started to maneuver for a complete takeover.
When they attacked at dawn on April 30, they encountered little resistance. North Vietnamese tanks crashed through the doors of the presidential palace and the war ended. North Vietnamese colonel Bui Tin accepted the surrender of General Duong Van Minh, who took over after Tran Van Huong spent a single day in power. Tin explained to Minh, “You have nothing to fear. Between Vietnamese, there is neither winner nor loser. Only the Americans were beaten. If you are patriots, consider this a moment of joy. The war for our country is over. “
